Introduction

Purpose

This guide is a collection of information, based on personal experiences (and gathered from various internet sources), to help ease a player’s transition into airsoft. We hope to answer frequently asked airsoft questions as clearly as possible with simple explanations in an easy-to-read format.

The contents herein is intended for those who are newly interested in airsoft - it is assumed that the reader knows what airsoft is, has basic knowledge of the gameplay, and is ready to begin participation on a higher level of maturity, sportsmanship, and safety. For those that require basic information about airsoft, we would recommend starting with the wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft.

Attribution

This guide has been exclusively written for NV Airsoft by the members of the United Task Force, holding operation in Reno, Nevada. For additional information, visit www.unitedtaskforce.com

Primary Purchases

Considerations

Be wary of used or pre-owned items.
Airsoft items, especially airsoft guns, go though a tremendous amount of wear and tear. Take the time to spot damaged or abused equipment. Whenever possible, ask to test the item before purchasing.

Be wary of classifieds and auctions.
Many classified/auctions sell used equipment as well as new - be sure to know which you will be getting. Keep an eye out for counterfeits - it is not uncommon for players to purchase an airsoft gun over $300 only to realize later on that they received a poor quality clone (sometimes, even the sellers do not realize they have a clone).

Find a reputable airsoft retailer/distributor.
Avoid the large sport stores and “big box” stores - they rarely offer and wide selection of quality airsoft equipment.
You will want to find a retailer or distributor with staff that is knowledgeable of the wide variety of airsoft products and related combat gear. Online retailers are, of course, another great way to find your next purchase.

Some online retailers to consider are:

Redwolf Airsoft

Evike

Airsoft GI

Airsoft Extreme

Airsoft Megastore

Find a reputable airsoft manufacturer
You will want to find a tried and true manufacturer that produces a high-quality airsoft gun.

Some manufacturers to consider are:

Tokyo Marui

Classic Army

I Chih Shivan (ICS)

Olympic Arms

Echo 1

Classic Army

General purchasing tips
Do your gun research on an individual basis, as all guns are not created equal. There are a wide variety of weapons to select from, each having as many pros and cons as their real-life variants.
Do purchase an airsoft gun with metal components whenever possible, avoiding low-grade plastic bodies/receivers and ALWAYS avoid gun with plastic internal components (especially gearboxes). This is not to be confused with durable plastic composites.
Do NOT purchase a 'clearsoft' gun (not to be confused with Canada-legal guns) - though they may be labeled as an airsoft gun, they typically fail to compare in quality and performance.

Purchasing An Airsoft Gun

When deciding on your airsoft gun, you must consider many different factors. The gun you choose should reflect your environment, playstyle, and role on the battlefield. Playing 'rush' games while providing cover fire in an indoor CQB (Close Quarters Battle) arena is very different than sniping a 'survival' game in a wide-acre forest.

For your first purchase, the United Task Force would suggest choosing an AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) in an assault rifle or sub-machine gun variant that performs between 350-400 FPS (feet per second) using .20g rounds. You should also consider a gun that has a upgrade and customization options.

Ranges
One of the primary factors in an airsoft weapon is it's effective range (or shooting distance). Weapon ranges are determined by the combination of energy output (in feet per second), hop-up unit, pellet weight, and fire angle.

You can expect results as shown in the following table for non-gas guns. Gas guns, however, vary from manufacturer and model and rarely offer upgrade options to improve range.

Technologies
Airsoft guns are typically powered by an electric motor, manual spring loading, or compressed gas to launch a pellet. Here are some pros and cons of each type:

Electric (AEG)

Most common type, wide availability

High(er) rate of fire

High availability of replaceable parts

Use is limited by battery capacity (several hours)

Prone to electrical or mechanical breakdown

Higher maintenance due to a variety moving parts

Spring

Power independent (does not require electricity or gas)

Lower maintenance

Limited rate of fire

Poor availability of replaceable parts

Limited ammunition capacity (typically for 'sniper' rifles)

Gas

May have gas blowback (GBB) features for added realism

Typically higher feet per second (FPS)

Use is limited by gas capacity

Limited ammunition capacity (if gas is stored in the magazine/clip)

Performance affected by temperature (if using CO2 in cold weather)

Types
Weapon types usually emulate their real-life counterparts, here are the pros and cons for each type:

Pistol

Many technological variants (AEG, spring, gas)

Some models offer both semi- and fully-automatic fire

Lower Cost

Great secondary weapon for backup

Small Profile, Compact

Lightweight

Limited ammunition capacity

Limited rate of fire (some models offer fully-automatic fire)

Limited accuracy due to short barrel lengths

Limited distance due to lack of hop-up unit

Shotgun

Typically single-shot via manual pump action

Available in multi-shot variants at higher cost

Available in gas versions

Power independant (does not require electricity or gas)

Lower maintenance

Limited ammunition capacity

Limited distance due to lack of hop-up unit

Limited rate of fire

Sub-Machine Gun

Typically electric powered, some models offer gas power

Selectable semi- and fully-automatic fire

Many models offer identical capabilities of assault rifles

Higher rate of fire

Small profile; compact

Lightweight

Exceptional for CQB (Close Quarters Battle) games

Limited ammunition capacity

Limited power capacity (smaller batteries)

Assault Rifle

Typically the standard type of airsoft gun by which all others are compared

Typically electric powered, some models offer gas power

Selectable semi- and fully-automatic fire

Widely available on the market

Typically offers the most upgrade options

Typically offers the most customization

Machine Gun

Typically electric powered

Selectable semi- and fully-automatic fire

Fast(er) rate of fire

High(er) duration of fire

Larger ammunition capacity

Heavy / cumbersone

High(er) cost when compared to Assault Rifles & Sub-machine Guns

Rifle (long barrel)

Typically manual spring load

Available in gas versions at higher costs with semi-automatic fire

Excellent for sniper roles

High(er) range/distance

High(er) accuracy due to barrel length

Lower maintenance

Limited rate of fire (single shot / bolt action)

Limited ammunition capacity

Cumbersome due to overall length

Purchasing Airsoft Necessities

Aside from your airsoft gun, you will require some additional equipment before you start participating on the battlefield.

Eye Protection
A 6mm pellet moving at typical velocities can easily damage eyes and/or cause blindness - it is important that you have the proper eye protection when shooting an airsoft gun. You will want some sort of eye protection that meets or exceeds an ANSI Z87.1 impact rating.

For your first purchase, the United Task Force would suggest choosing sealed goggles (with an anti-fog solution). There are a wide variety available, including those that allow you to wear prescription glasses underneath. If, however, you participate with those who shoot ‘hot’ guns, you may want to wear a paintball mask or a goggle and mesh mask combination.

Full Mask
Full masks (typically paintball masks) offer the best protection by protecting eyes with sealed goggles and the face with tough molded plastic. Lens fogging and breathing may be a problem on hot and humid days, so you will want to find a style that offers adequate ventilation.

Mesh Mask
Mesh masks (not to be confused with mesh goggles) offer similar protection to that of a full mask, but eliminates common fogging issues from open ventilation.
Note: Be cautious of mesh goggles as the pellets (especially biodegradable) can shatter upon impact and leave particles into your eye.

Goggles
Goggles provides basic protection by forming a sealed area from the front to the sides of your eyes.

Ballistic Glasses
Ballistic glasses offer the least amount of protection as they have no enclosed seal around the eyes and pose risks from side-shots. If choosing ballistic glasses, be sure that you have have a proper fit that minimizes any gaps from your face and eyes.

Hydration
Drinking plenty of water during participation helps reduce the risks of heat exhaustion, increases your performance, and provides a refreshing kick after an intense firefight or quick sprint to cover. It is also vital that you start hydrating before you head out to the game.

At the very least, you will want to have bottles of water (32 oz minimum) in your car or at the deployment areas of the airsoft fields. The best option, however, is to purchase a carrier that allows you can carry water on your back.

Batteries
Battery packs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, capacities, and chemistry compositions. You will want to find the right type that not only fits inside your airsoft gun, but also matches its voltage rating.

For your first purchase, the United Task Force would suggest choosing NiMH batteries.
If at all possible, buy several batteries in case you run out of power in the middle of a game.

Voltage
NiCAD and NiMH batteries typically have 1.2V/0.2A cells; battery packs for airsoft usually come in 8.4 (6 cells) to 10.8 (8 cells). The voltage (or number of cells) airsoft guns require is primarily determined by the internal motor and how the battery will fit inside the gun..

Capacity
Typically measured in milli-Amps per hour (mAh). The higher the number, the more energy you can store into them (and the battery pack lasting longer in the field) - this also means that high-capacity cells will be physically larger and may affect how the battery pack fits inside your gun.

Type / Chemistry
Airsoft batteries come in many forms, among them are the different electrochemical compositions that determine how long your gun will last before running out of power.

Battery Charger
Most new airsoft guns come with an included trickle charger - be very careful that you do not overcharge your batteries. A “smart charger” is recommended for a quick and reliable recharge while preventing overcharging.

Gas
Like batteries, the gas used to power airsoft guns come in a variety of chemical compositions that can determine overall performance.

CO2

Widely available in 12 gram cartridges

Typically offers higher output

Poor performance in cold weather

134a / Green Gas / Red Gas

These gasses offers an additive that acts as a lubricant

Flammable

Propane

Widely available at a cheaper costs compared to 134a/Green/Red gas

Offers similar performance to 134a/Green/Red gasses

Requires use of an adapter

Requires use of additional lubricant during each use, use silicone oil (not silicone spray)

Flammable

Ammunition
Even though nearly all airsoft guns use 6mm pellets, something as simple as a little plastic ball can be a deciding factor for success and overall performance on the battlefield. You can expect to pay from $15 to $25 for a 5,000 round bag of ammo of average grade.

Pellet Quality
You will want to use pellets that are perfectly round and smooth without any pits, burrs, and other deformities. These defects may determine the accuracy of your shot. Obviously, a pellet that is off-round (oblong) may curve during flight, or worse, get stuck in the barrel of your gun.

Pellet Weight
Weights typically range from 0.12g to 0.25g, but heavier weights exist. 0.12g are widely used for short-range weapons such as pistols. 0.20g and 0.25g pellets are widely used for AEGs. Pellets higher than .25g are commonly used for high-power spring guns.
The weight of your pellet is a major factor that determines both shot accuracy and range. A pellet that is too light will be affected by wind but will travel farther, a pellet that is too heavy may maintain its flight path but will not travel as far. You will want to experiment and use the pellet weight that best fits your playing environment and style.

Pellet Type
The conventional or traditional airsoft pellet can be made from a variety of plastic, but biodegradable types exist which are an environmentally friendly alternative that also avoids breaking the bank. The biodegradable pellets have little or no effect on shot performance and are designed to decompose after several when exposed to natural environments.

Secondary Purchases

Coming Soon

We sincerely hope you like the first part of our guide. Keep an eye out for the second installment sometime in the future.

Comments

That is one damn nice guide. You put in a lot of effort with those pictures.

Thanks for noting the difference between mesh goggles and mesh masks. Mesh goggles are super dangerous and should never be used (personally I refuse to play with people wearing mesh goggles and therefore always carry a spare for them)

By the way, I wrote an airsoft guide myself. Check it out and tell me what you think, will ya?